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Featured Event… County Exec Ed FitzGerald at SPJ Ethics Luncheon

By | Sat Jan 7 '12 | Cleveland Westshore, Cuyahoga County, Events, Government, Lakewood Ohio, Legislation, Local Politics, Mayor, News | No comments

With the trial of former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora on federal corruption charges starting, former County Auditor Frank Russo seeking to avoid a 21-year prison sentence, and more than 50 others having pled guilty to or been convicted of engaging in corruption in County government, the Cleveland Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) will present a public program to review the County’s efforts to create a more ethical culture.

Cuyahoga County Executive and former Lakewood Mayor Edward FitzGerald will be the featured speaker at an ethics luncheon-program on Wednesday, January 11th. Government reporter Harlan Spector of The Plain Dealer and Lynda Mayer of the League of Women Voters will be featured panelists at the event; both are experts on the County’s new ethics ordinance.

Today’s PD reports that, going into the second year of his term, FitzGerald has not hired an internal auditor as is required by the new government’s charter.

Lunch begins at noon and the program runs from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the City Club of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland. Luncheon tickets are $20 each.

To make a reservation or for more information, contact SPJ Secretary-Treasurer Tom Moore at 440.454.3282 or tmoore56@msn.com.  Tickets may also be reserved online by clicking here.

Lakewood Signs Cuyahoga County Agreement

By | Tue Nov 15 '11 | Business, City Hall News, Cleveland Westshore, Cuyahoga County, Economic Development, Entrepreneurs, Government, Lakewood City Council, Lakewood Ohio, Legislation, Local Politics, Mayor | No comments
Official Seal of the City of Lakewood Ohio

Economic Development Compact May Discourage Raiding

Lakewood Ohio Mayor Michael P. Summers has signed an “anti-poaching” economic development agreement with Cuyahoga County government.  At its November 7, 2011 meeting, Lakewood City Council passed a resolution authorizing him to enter into an anti-poaching agreement with Cuyahoga County Executive (and former Lakewood Mayor) Edward FitzGerald, who has asked all communities in the county to sign.

According to a press release issued by the mayor’s office today, the agreement “is to encourage responsible, forward thinking economic development activities by communities within Cuyahoga County at no great peril to the livelihood of neighboring communities.  The agreement identifies more specific purposes, including:

  • Facilitating interactions between the county and communities to promote economic development;
  • Establishing a county-based “one-stop shop” for businesses considering location or expansion in Cuyahoga County;
  • Expressing the commitment of the participating communities that they will not actively pursue the relocation of a business that has not indicated that it is considering a move from its current location in another participating community;
  • And in instances where a business is exploring a possible move, establishing procedures to balance the interest of the business’ home community and other participating communities.”

Stated Summers, “The elements for this agreement lay the foundation for better regional cooperation and advancement in a more equitable manner. I have grown to understand and appreciate that Lakewood, and all Cuyahoga communities, need to transcend from viewing ourselves as being a community in Cuyahoga County towards a community that is part of Cuyahoga County.”

Driving and Texting in Ohio

By | Thu Oct 6 '11 | Cleveland Westshore, Education, Government, Lakewood Ohio, Legislation, Letters to the Editor, Local Politics, Safety, State of Ohio | No comments
Texting and Driving in Lakewood Ohio is a Safety Issue

Letter to the Editor from Brian Newbacher
Director of Public Affairs, AAA East Central

Texting While Driving

Text messaging has become the most dangerous distraction for drivers behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. Yet survey after survey reveal a greater number of drivers have chosen to risk lives to send or read a text while driving.

A growing body of research confirms that taking your hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, and mind off the driving task radically increases your chances of causing a crash. The average time spent looking away from the road while writing and sending a text is 4.6 seconds. This amount of time with eyes off the road clearly distinguishes texting as the most dangerous distraction.

There is remarkable public consensus on the need for a law against texting while driving. In fact, 93 percent of Ohio AAA members support a ban. House Bill 99 bans all drivers in the state from text messaging while driving.  AAA is calling on the Ohio Senate to help remove this menacing activity from Ohio’s roadways by passing this important legislation. You can help by writing your state senator and by setting an example in everyday driving by refraining from text messaging and other distractions. It’s just not worth the risk.